Search

USCIS has changed the direct filing addresses for where to file certain forms for beneficiaries who will be working or training in Florida, Georgia, or North Carolina. The changes are as follows: 

On December 12, 2016, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) announced that it no longer recognizes the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) as an accrediting agency. This determination immediately affects two immigration-related programs: 

If USCIS determines that there are more immigrant visas available for a fiscal year than there are known applicants for such visas, USCIS will state on this page that you may use the Dates for Filing Visa Applications chart. Otherwise, USCIS will indicate on this page that you must use the Application Final Action Dates chart to determine when you may file your adjustment of status application.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) issued a fraud alert on April 19, 2017, to warn the public about a scam using the DHS OIG hotline telephone number. Scammers have identified themselves as “U.S. Immigration” employees and have altered their caller ID to seem like the call is coming from the DHS OIG hotline (1-800-323-8603). They then demand that the individual provide or verify personally identifiable information, often by telling individuals that they are victims of identity theft.

USCIS recently updated the following form(s):

Update to Form I-881, Application for Suspension of Deportation or Special Rule Cancellation of Removal (Pursuant to Section 203 of Public Law 105-100 (NACARA))

New edition dated 03/21/17. You can also use previous editions.

For more information, please visit Forms Updates page.

The policy memorandum “The Role and Use of Interpreters in Domestic Field Office Interviews” became USCIS policy on Jan. 17, 2017. However, to give USCIS customers time to become familiar with and adjust to the new policy requirements, USCIS will not implement the policy until May 1, 2017.

VISA AVAILABILITY IN THE EMPLOYMENT-BASED PREFERENCES

During the past six weeks, the level of Employment-based First and Second preference demand for adjustment of status cases filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has increased dramatically.  Continued heavy demand for numbers will require corrective action to hold number use within these annual limits.

USCIS published the updated M-274, Handbook for Employers: Guidance for Completing Form I-9 (PDF, 5.36 MB). The Handbook for Employers provides employers with detailed guidance for completing Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification. This version dated Jan. 22, 2017, replaces the previous version. It reflects revisions to Form I-9, which was revised on Nov. 14, 2016.

The Handbook for Employers:

USCIS recently updated the following form(s):

Update to Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record

02/27/2017 02:48 PM EST 

Starting April 3, 2017, USCIS will temporarily suspend premium processing for all H-1B petitions. This suspension may last up to 6 months. While H-1B premium processing is suspended, petitioners will not be able to file Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service for a Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker which requests the H-1B nonimmigrant classification. USCIS will notify the public before resuming premium processing for H-1B petitions.

USCIS is automatically extending the validity of certain EADs issued under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for El Salvador for an additional 6 months. On July 8, 2016, DHS announced, the extension of the designation of El Salvador for TPS for a period of 18 months. With that extension, DHS also automatically extended the validity of EADs issued under TPS El Salvador for 6 months, through March 9, 2017.

Executive Order Protecting The Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into The United States

EXECUTIVE ORDER

- - - - - - -

PROTECTING THE NATION FROM FOREIGN TERRORIST ENTRY INTO THE UNITED STATES

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), 8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq., and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, and to protect the Nation from terrorist activities by foreign nationals admitted to the United States, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Update to Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative

New edition dated 2/27/17. Starting 04/28/17, USCIS will only accept the 02/27/17 edition. Until then, you can use the 12/23/16 edition. Now also available, new Form I-130A, Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary.

USCIS generally process cases in the order they receive them. The link below provides you an estimate of how much time the office handling your case currently takes to process your type of application, petition, or request.

USCIS Processing Time Information

On April 3, 2017, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin accepting CW-1 petitions subject to the fiscal year (FY) 2018 cap. Employers in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) use the CW-1 program to employ foreign workers who are otherwise ineligible to work under other nonimmigrant worker categories. The cap for CW-1 visas for FY 2018 has not been set, but it is required to be less than the FY 2017 cap, which is currently set at 12,998.

In light of stakeholder input, which the Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) is considering, OFLC has temporarily removed from its website PERM FAQ Round 14 regarding Actual Minimum Requirements, originally published on March 6, 2017. OFLC will clarify and republish PERM FAQ Round 14 to provide additional information on its applicability to PERM applications and associated prevailing wage requests and determinations.

For more upcoming updates please visit this link.

USCIS recently updated the following USCIS form(s):

Update to Form I-918, Petition for U Nonimmigrant Status03/13/2017 01:38 PM EDT

New edition dated 02/07/17. Starting 05/12/17, USCIS will only accept the 02/07/17 edition. Until then, you can use the 01/15/13, 11/23/10 and 08/31/07 editions.

For more information, please visit Forms Updates page.

Notice from USCIS: If you are filing Form I-765, please confirm you have downloaded the correct Form I-765.